APEX Learning for Initial Credit

A-Team High School Breakout SessionJanuary 12, 2011

When to use APEX?

• Enrollment in APEX Learning initial-credit courses should ONLY be considered once the following options are exhausted (in order):

– 1. Face-to-face classroom– 2. South Carolina Virtual School Program – 3. Horry County Virtual School

• English II, III, IV

• Algebra II, Geometry, Math Tech III & IV, Probability and Stats, Pre-Calculus

• Global Studies I & II, Government, Economics

• Health (.5 credit)

• Spanish I and II

• Psychology, Art Appreciation (.5 credit), Music Appreciation

Initial Credit Course Offerings

Additional Course Information

• Only college prep courses, no honors

• None of the courses requiring a state EOCT will be offered for initial credit via APEX

• Science courses are not offered for initial credit due to the complexity of lab requirements

Curriculum• Courses reviewed to ensure the rigor of online

courses match the rigor of teacher taught classes

• Courses and assignments are the same district-wide

• Assessments:– Test and exams must be proctored at school – Computer scored tests provide immediate feedback– Teacher scored tests come with answer keys and grading rubrics

Completion Timeline

• Except for transfer students, courses begin Jan 19, 2011 and must end by May 27, 2011

• One credit course- 120 hours with 8 hours/week - approximately 15 weeks

• One half credit - 70 hours with 8 hours/week - approximately 9 weeks

Roles/Responsibilities• Apex Site Coordinator ( district liaison, enroll students in

Apex courses, monitor school reports to help maintain accurate records, school expert)

• Guidance Director (PowerSchool schedules, record PowerSchool grades & comments)

• Apex Lab Facilitator (grade most teacher-scored activities by rubric, monitor student progress, generate progress reports, automate weekly e-mail reports to parents, etc., maintain Apex grade book and records database)

• Subject Matter Teachers (grade teacher scored assignments as needed, assist students as needed)

Sample Assignment

• English Language Arts – Sample Assignment presented by Olga Toggas to demonstrate how subject matter teachers will be needed to assist with grading assignments.

Grading/Scheduling

• Abide by SC Uniform Grading Policy regarding withdrawals.

• Online courses must use PowerSchool course numbers.

• Schedule online course in a block outside of the regular school day.

• Online courses should appear on the student’s schedule and report card.

• Only FINAL course grades are recorded in PowerSchool.

• Comments are available in the PowerSchool comment bank for report cards.

What can you do to help?• Identify subject matter teachers to assist with grading

• Organize meeting to ensure proper online course procedures are in place. (i.e. Site Coordinator, Guidance Director, Lab Facilitator & identified teachers)

• Ensure proper learning environment and technology hardware available (considerable amount of print materials required)

• Require bi-monthly or weekly Apex progress reports

Need Help?

• Exceptions to Apex guidelines?...Rick Maxey

• Course numbers? .......................Boone Myrick

• PowerSchool?.............................Debbie Maxson

• Apex Learning ?..........................Edi Cox

Thank you!

Horry County SchoolsAnd

Apex Learning